Some rumors explain the resurgence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in babies in Australia by the fact that they have no immune system due to their parents’ vaccination against Covid-19. A baseless accusation.
- In Australia, winter is between the months of June and August.
- RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under one year old according to Vidal.
In Australia, several babies have been born without an immune system in recent weeks, this is in any case what many Internet users on social networks assure. They also claim it was a side effect of the Covid-19 vaccine. Are these accusations justified?
A winter bug
In fact, the country has recorded an increase in cases of respiratory syncytial virus in infants in recent weeks. It is a fairly common virus in the fall and winter – the current season in this part of the world – which infects the respiratory tract. Indeed, the transmission of this virus is “favored by cold and wet weather“, according to Vidal.
Fever, sore throat…
RSV symptoms are usually characterized by sore throat, runny nose, and sometimes fever. Infections of the lower respiratory tract, bronchiolitis or even pneumonia have however been observed in the elderly or vulnerable as well as in young children. Nevertheless, according to finnish institute of healththis virus”cannot be differentiated from other viral respiratory infections based on symptoms“.
…common symptoms
The increase in respiratory syncytial virus cases does not mean that babies are born without an immune system. According to experts interviewed by Agence France Presse (AFP): “There is, at this stage, no evidence to suggest that the increase in reported RSV cases can be caused by vaccination, and a parent’s Covid vaccine cannot harm immunity. of the baby”.
No sense with immunity
An observation corroborated by other scientists, such as Anthony Byrne: “Immunity conferred by a vaccine against Covid will not translate into less immunity against RSVexplains this researcher specializing in respiratory infections and associate professor at the University of New South Wales, Australia. It just doesn’t make sense, the immune system is highly specific to millions of different antigens. Immunity to one virus does not reduce immunity to another“.
developing immune system
Indeed, Ian Barr, Deputy Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Influenza Reference and Research and Honorary Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne, explained to AFP that “all babies are more susceptible to infections than adults, because their immune systems are still developing and adapting as they encounter viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens“.
Several viruses in Australia
In addition to their poorly developed immune system, some doctors explain this upsurge by the fact that babies have not been exposed to viruses as much as usual, due to the various confinements and barrier measures. On the other hand, in parts of Australia, there has been an increase in cases of different viruses in recent weeks, including Covid-19, influenza… and RSV.
